Retriving SS#

[Jancy]

Oooooh the confusion. With Visa Journey and other good sources of information I have been told once my fiance enters the US in about 2 weeks or less we can go to the SS office and get a SS# & card for him. But now I was told by a USCIS rep. and a recent K-1 AOS applicant that they will go to the SS office for the # after the biometrics/AOS is complete. Hmmmm so what's the deal?? Thanks for your help guys :o

[kitkat1]

Jancy, you do not need an EAD or green card as Laurel stated. (And of course never listen to the USCIS mis-information line - they have already given you tons of incorrect information in this process).

You wait a few weeks to make sure his information is in the SAVE system. If you wait until after you have filed the AOS, his I-94 will have expired and it will be too late.

As a K-1 Visa Holder you are eligible to receive a SSN upon producing a valid I-94 (unexpired). Do not wait until you only have a few weeks left until your I-94 expires to file for a SSN. Many SSA
offices will not allow you to file for a SSN if your I-94 is about to expire (generally 14 days prior to the expiration on your I-94). On the other hand, you should also not file for a SSN too soon either.
You should wait 2 weeks after you arrived in the US before applying for a SSN. If you go too soon your
record of arrival will not be in the SAVE-ASVI system yet, and it will require manual verification from the
USCIS. As this will add weeks to the period it takes to process the SSN, it is advisable to attempt to wait the two weeks to be safe. If you have waited the 2 weeks and they tell you they can not verify you arrival record via the SAVE database, you may allow them to to process it (but remember the potential delay for manual verifications). You can ask if they will check the computer again for you in a few days or return personally to have them look again -- thus eliminating the manual verification. The manual verification will require the SSA office to file a G-845 with the USCIS.

To apply for a SSN you will need to go to your local SSA office and bring the documents below. These
documents are proof of your eligibility to file for a SSN:

1. The SS-5 form you downloaded and filled out (they have some at the office if you forget).
2. your Passport (with the K-1 Visa in it)
3. your valid I-94
4. another form of valid ID (as defined in the SS-5 instructions)
5. You should also bring the document RM 00203.500 that you printed out

Make sure to bring all the documents above because some offices have staff that are not aware that a K-1 Visa Holder is eligible to file for a SSN. A friendly reminder is a nice thing to have -- if not you could be turned away incorrectly.

[Jancy]

Thanks, I didn't see Laurels post. I have a friend that is doing the AOS through Laurel and he told me that his fiance does not have the SS card and will get it after the Biometrics appt. (my friends' fiance' - now wife - married in July and are now processing the AOS application).

[kitkat1]

Laurel's answer was posted in her chat in response to your question.

In the case of your friends, if biometrics takes 3 or 4 months, how is going to have a life in the US without a SSN? His timing is backwards - SSN is the first step.

[Jancy]

I don't know. I am going to contact him this afternoon.
Oh and I'll have to look at Laurels chat again. i had to log off right after posting. I saw Laurfern's post but it looked like a portion of the chat and I did not see my question there otherwise I wouldn't have posted this bit. Thanks so much for your help....Once again. :)

[Jancy]

"Jancy: Laurel just a quick question. K-1 fiance...after entering the USA after ~2weeks can he go to the SS office and get a SS#? OR does he has to wait until the AOS goes through?
Laurel: You need either the EAD or the green card. In some circumstances you can get the social without those, but its more difficult. Easiest to apply for the social with EAD in hand."

So I guess it is more tricky to get the SS card without an EAD but possible with the Visa Journey tips ex: printing out RM 00203.500

[kitkat1]

Printing out the document is a safeguard in case the SSA people don't know the law. You absolutely do not need an EAD or a green card to get a SSN with a K1 - and since most people need a SSN to have any semblance of a normal life, it would be the first logical step.